Steering wheel
US3977271A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1974 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20876
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a steering column and a steering wheel having an annular rim, a central hub, and a plurality of spokes joining the rim to the hub. The steering wheel includes a metal member having (a) a rim portion defining a core for the rim of the steering wheel, (b) spoke portions defining the spokes of the steering wheel, and (c) a mounting portion within the hub of the steering wheel which can be coupled to an end of the steering column to mount the steering wheel on the column. The mounting portion of the metal member has a U or V shaped configuration with one leg of the U continuing into the spoke portions of the member and the other leg being secured to the end of the steering column. The mounting portion is also deformable such that its spaced-apart leg sections move toward each other to absorb impact energy when a load exceeding a predetermined load is exerted on the mounting portion through the steering wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.